Methotrexate info

Methotrexate is a medicine that is prescribed for patients having cancer of the skin, breast, neck, head or lungs. The drug is also prescribed for the treatment of arthritis and psoriasis. The doctors prescribe this drug only after other medicines have failed to bring in results.

The drug hinders the growth of some cells, especially those that reproduce fast like the cancer cells, skin cells and the bone marrow cells.

The drug should have to be used only once or twice in a week. It is not advised to take the drug every day. Once the drug has been prescribed, make it sure that the prescription is not deviated at any cost.

After using Methotrexate for psoriasis, a person should not go out in the sun without any protective cover. This is because the skin becomes sensitive after the use of drug Methotrexate; it can worsen psoriasis. Another thing that has to be kept in mind is top avoid alcohol while using Methotrexate medicine.

It is also seen that the drug can lead to many serious or even life-threatening side effects on the liver, kidney, lungs and bone marrow. Methotrexate should not be taken for treating rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis if a person has liver disease or a disorder of the bone marrow.

The drug is not to be used by mothers who feed the new ones as it can cause harm to the newborn kid. Pregnant women are also advised not to use the medicine for treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. When taking Methotrexate, one should not get pregnant and in case a pregnancy develops, the doctor should be told about it at once.

There are also situations when the doctor may alter the medicine or change the dosage. This happens if a person is having pneumonia, ulcers in the stomach, infections of any type, receiving radiation and liver issues. People using Methotrexate should be very prompt in lab tests. They should never miss their appointment, as the doctor needs to know the liver and kidney conditions.

Methotrexate also interacts with other drugs and so every patient taking this drug has to inform the doctor about all the medicines that he is using. Vitamins, herbal products and minerals could interact with Methotrexate.

The severe side effects that can occur because of Methotrexate include dry cough, breath shortness, white patches, vomiting, sores inside mouth or lips, diarrhea, blood in urine, blood in stools, less urination, chilling, fever, body pain blistering, peeling, flu, nausea, appetite loss, dark urine and jaundice. The less severe side effects with mild vomiting, nausea, stomach upset, headache, gym bleeding, tired feeling and blurred vision. The list of serious and mild side effects is not complete here. It is advised that people should always be on a watch out for these side effects and in case any of these side effects arise, here should be no delay in calling the doctor. If delayed in seeing the doctor, there is a possibility of worsening of the side effects, which could even be fatal.